A very poor Real Madrid took an important step towards the quarter-finals of the Champions League 2024-2025. The Merengues returned to the Santiago Bernabéu to face  Atlético de Madrid in the first leg of the knockout stage of the competition and, despite showing a very poor level on the field, they managed to win thanks to two isolated 'sparks' from Rodrygo and Brahim Díaz. However, the tie is more open than ever and everything will be decided at the Metropolitano.

The team led by Carlo Ancelotti once again demonstrated that they depend entirely on individual brilliance to achieve results, as collectively they are very, very short. The Merengues again showed a thick and dull game, and relying on the solidity of their defense and the poor finishing of their rival, they managed to strike first in the clash against the mattress makers and will face the return leg with an advantage on the aggregate score, although the red and whites are still alive.

Julián Álvarez struck again against Madrid in the first half

The first 45 minutes were frenetic at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Madrid came out with knives between their teeth, aware of the importance of getting a favorable result at home, and Rodrygo would deliver the first blow in the 4th minute. Federico Valverde sent a good ball into space and, after getting behind Javi Galán, the Brazilian made a diagonal run into the area, finishing with a shot close to the far post.

After this goal, the Merengues grew in confidence on the field and dominated an Atleti that could not find answers, but they could not capitalize on their opportunities as Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé were mere ghosts on the pitch.

In this way, the locals began to fade, and the team led by 'Cholo' Simeone gained weight on the field, getting closer and closer to Courtois's area. Valverde prevented a goal from Samu Lino on the line, but shortly after Julián Álvarez would manage to break through the '1' merengue's goal.

The 'Spider' entered the area, shook off Camavinga , and sent a spectacular curling shot to the corner of the Belgian goalkeeper, which even a 4-meter tall player would not have been able to stop. Thus, both teams headed to the locker rooms with the score tied and everything to define in the second half.

Brahim Díaz rescued Madrid in the second half

Upon returning from the break, the Madrid players tried to reverse the trend of the last minutes of the first half. The team pressed with greater intensity and sought to corner the mattress makers, but the disconnection of their players in attack made the mission impossible. The Indians, for their part, knew they were superior to the locals, but were unable to threaten Courtois' goal.

Despite this, as has been customary this season, the individual 'sparks' of the merengue stars once again saved the day. In the 55th minute, Brahim Díaz received the ball inside the area, shook off Giménez, sending him to the ground with a good feint, and beat Jan Oblak with a precise low shot that grazed the left post of the Slovenian's goal.

The whites once again took the lead on the scoreboard, and the match broke open, as the Moroccan's goal awakened a sense of urgency in a red and white team that sought to equalize by all means. However, both teams ran around 'like headless chickens' and, in the evident absence of a game plan, Madrid only needed to put up enough resistance to secure a victory that tasted a bit bland but allows them to strike first in the tie.

Thus, the team led by Carlo Ancelotti will visit the Riyadh Air Metropolitano with a one-goal advantage on the aggregate score. However, given what was seen on the pitch of the Bernabéu this Tuesday night, the Atlético de Madrid is more alive than ever and the chances of burying the whites in their favorite competition are extremely real. The ticket to the quarter-finals will be contested next Wednesday, March 12.

Technical sheet of the match:

  • Real Madrid, 2: Courtois; Valverde (Lucas Vázquez, min. 82), Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga (Modric, min. 62); Brahim (Endrick, min. 89), Rodrygo, Vinicius; Mbappé.
  • Atlético de Madrid, 1: Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Lenglet, Galán; Giuliano Simeone (Molina, min. 64), Pablo Barrios (Sorloth, min. 75), De Paul (Correa, min. 75), Samu Lino (Gallagher, min. 64); Griezmann (Le Normand, min. 71) and Julián Álvarez.
  • Goals: 1-0, Rodrygo (min. 4); 1-1, Julián Álvarez (min. 32); 2-1, Brahim Díaz (min. 55).
  • Referee: Clément Turpin.
  • Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu.